An inquiry email from an Angeleno landed in the JCC inbox this week: “Shalom. I will be visiting in March and wanted to know if there are any Israeli dancing classes anywhere?”
What followed was a fierce debate in the office as to whether ‘Israeli Dancing’ as a concept even exists. The American and Israeli staff were boggled by the question. Each was certain. The Long Islander shared that of course there is Israeli dance. Look at every Synagogue Sisterhood and Hadassah Chapter since creation. They’ve always had Israeli Dance class. Up there with Mah Jongg and Canasta, it is a highlight of the social calendar for the seasoned sophisticate crowd in their 60, 70s, 80s and beyond.
The son of Haifa, raised in the Holy Land, responded that even the idea of a particular style of Israeli dance is nonsensical. Israel exists as a melting pot of Jews from all over the world, each of whom brought their own style of dance from France to Poland to Greece to Yemen to Uzbekistan and everything in between. How could so much rhythmic and musical diversity be reduced to one style of dance that includes them all? Stereotypically, the Nihonjin unsuccessfully attempted to chart a middle position that satisfied neither party.
Unable to reach consensus and with the JCC’s Wa very much in danger, the resident archivist turned up a September/October 2000 copy of the Tokyo Jewish News (real thing) where on page 5 above an ad for Pre&Post Natal Exercises that once took place every Wednesday between 1:00-4:00pm, a graphic reads “Join the Folk Dancing Club at the JCC. Just bring your spirit & energy and start dancing with our experienced guide Toru.” While not a slam dunk given that the word Israel doesn’t appear, the language points to a strong possibility that not only does Israeli Dance exist but that it was once taught by a Japanese instructor on a biweekly basis at the JCC. It is certainly possible Toru-san was teaching Kagura and Buyō instead of the Hora but given the setting of the classes that seems unlikely.
So is Israeli Dance real or made up? The answer as with every Jewish question is ‘it depends’. In what may be Biblical proof in the affirmative, the book of Samuel II contains a passage where David whirls as the Ark of the Covenant is brought up to Jerusalem. King David was no doubt Israeli. The scripture states he was dancing. So that should just about settle it right? Setting in motion a precedent of Jewish women being embarrassed by their husband’s moves on the parquet dance floor, David’s wife Michal expresses her displeasure by reading the new king the Riot Act saying that maybe the Jewish people aren’t quite ready for such innovative gyrations.
Many centuries later, the Talmud asks the question “How does one dance before the bride?” implying that is a required part of a Jewish wedding. Instead of the circle dancing and chair lifting most closely associated with Jewish celebration, the most emotionally charged moment at a Hasidic wedding is known by its Yiddish name the ‘Mitzvah Tantz’ when the Talmudic commandment is fulfilled in its literal sense with men taking turns trying to outshine each other in front of a beaming bride.
Assuming it does in fact exist, the modern iteration of Israeli Dance was first created by late 19th century Zionist groups in Europe with an eye towards building a unified culture. Only 100 years ago, in 1924 Russian-born ballet dancer and choreographer Baruch Agadati introduced the Hora to Israel. Subsequent waves of migration brought first the Yemenite Step and then the Lezginka from the Mountain Jews of Azerbaijan. Did Toru-san teach those at the JCC? Unlikely but nevertheless another missive answered our question once and for all.
As we were finding alternative activities for our southern Californian inquirer, divine providence would have it that an email arrived from professional Israeli Dancer Danielle Agami meaning that yes, Israeli Dance must be a thing. Ms. Agami will be performing three shows over the course of this weekend with Glenn Koche of the band Wilco at Setagaya Public Theater. If you are interested in attending, please see the details here: https://setagaya-pt.jp/en/stage/2147/
Two of the shows start at 3:00pm meaning they are very much family friendly and do not require going to the Carefinder app for a babysitter. Far from it, bring the gantze mishpacha!
Services
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, March 1st
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner by reservation: 7:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Lecture by Ayelet Razin Bet Or
Expert on women’s rights and gender equality; public policy specialist
Friday, March 8th
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner by reservation: 7:00pm
Shabbat Shekalim – Parshat Vayakhel
Kiddush open for sponsorship
Saturday, March 9th
Services: 10:00am
Kiddush: 12:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, March 22nd
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner by reservation: 7:00pm
Shabbat Zachor – Parshat Vayikra – Erev Purim
Kiddush sponsored by the Guyton Family in celebration of their 6th Wedding Anniversary
Saturday, March 23rd
Services: 10:00am
Kiddush: 12:00pm
Friday Night Dinner Reservations can made on our website: https://jccjapan.jp/shabbat-meals-sign-up/
Events
Friday Night Lecture
Guest Speaker Ayelet Razin Bet Or
Expert on women’s rights and gender equality; public policy specialist
Friday night, March 8th
Lecture: 8:30pm
The World’s Best Purim Party
Saturday night, March 23rd
Megillah Reading: 6:30pm’ish
Klezmer by Jinta-la-Mvta: 8:00pm
Nijikai: 11:00pm
Sanjikai: 1:00am
Registration Details: https://jccjapan.jp/event-registration/
Stay tuned for film screenings, cooking classes and lectures
If you have an idea for an event or a topic you would like to share with others, please visit our website: https://jccjapan.jp/event-committee-inquiry/
Announcements
Thank you to Izumi Sato for sponsoring kiddush in memory of her mother last week. The homemade Dorayaki were enjoyed by all especially the kommunity kinderlach who concluded the service from the bimah beautifully. Next week’s kiddush on 3/9 is still open for sponsorship so if there is an event you want to celebrate or commemorate, please reply to this e-mail.
Condolences to the Lewis Family on the passing of comedian Richard whose Jewish neuroses knew no bounds. Born to a caterer in Englewood, New Jersey, the stand-up comic and actor left the northeast for chilly Columbus, Ohio where he became a proud Buckeye describing his undergrad experience as “the best four years of my life.” In a 2011 interview, Richard Lewis explained “I have a tremendous love affair for being a Jew. I’m so proud to be part of this people. I wouldn’t want to be part of anything else.”
The JCC welcomes the band Wilco to Japan. With music that informs the memories if not identities of many a GenX’er and even more middling millennials, Wilco’s Chicago-inspired melodies continue inspiring multiple generations of fans. Better yet, Jeff Tweedy decided to convert to Judaism in 2013 when his youngest son was being Bar Mitzvah’ed. If anyone from Wilco reads this, you are all invited to lead Friday night services and join us for dinner afterwards where we will break out our challah rolls from North Shore Kosher Bakery in West Rogers Park.
Ganbatte to all our JCCers and visitors from around the world running the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday morning. Better you than me!
We will host a distinguished guest speaker from Israel after Friday night dinner on March 8th. You do not need to reserve dinner to attend. The lecture will involve a discussion on gender-based violence that occurred during 10/7.
JCC Member Jonathan Kushner will run the London Marathon on April 21. Jonathan is raising money for World Jewish Relief, an organization we have supported since 2021, as part of his race prep. If you would like to contribute, you may do on Jonathan’s personal fundraising page:
https://worldjewishreliefus.enthuse.com/pf/londonmarathonusd-jonathan-kushner
Yiddish Club with Jack Halpern: Please contact Jack at jack@cjki.org if you are interested to join. All levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced. Much more than just language, the club’s monthly meetings explore Yiddish culture as well.
Shabbat Ki Tisa
Candle Lighting: 5:18pm
Havdala: 6:15pm